Military Officer - July 2007 - (Page 69)

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) Award: Marix Award Recognized for: Introducing and vigorously supporting the Senate version of the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, which helped defeat DoD’s effort to excessively raise TRICARE fees for military retirees. A World War II veteran, Lautenberg said he did what he thought was right with this legislation: “Those who are serving … serve their country proudly, and we are proud of them. And we ought not to do anything that shortcuts the recognition that they get. The possibility that [dramatically] raises the cost of health care or TRICARE for families … is an outrageous thing to do.” He said he was pleased to know he had some part in “not permitting that atrocious increase to go through.” Lautenberg also said he would ﬁght to protect the beneﬁts veterans already have paid for through extended service and sacriﬁce. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) Award: Marix Award Recognized for: Being the lead cosponsor of Lautenberg’s legislation and holding the line against DoD’s intent to raise health care fees. Hagel fought in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts. He said MOAA and other similar organizations are more important now than at any time in America’s history. He expressed his concern that the U.S. military is in many ways disconnected from society, citing a conversation with a colonel’s wife who said she would not encourage her children to join the military. He called this disconnect “dangerous.” Organizations such as MOAA, Hagel said, can help bridge misunderstandings, lack of appreciation, and lack of knowledge about the military. Awardees include (clockwise from top left) Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.); Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.); Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas), right, with MOAA chair Gen. Michael Carns, USAF-Ret.; and Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.). thing to do. Thank you for continuing your service as leaders in MOAA. Because of you, we are a better, safer, more secure nation.” Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) Award: Marix Award Recognized for: Introducing the Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act in the House of Representatives, successfully protecting military families against disproportional health care fee increases. Edwards said he was humbled to be in the same room with so many people who served their country for so many years. “My goal as a member of Congress is simply to give a part back to you, to pay a small down payment on the debt of gratitude that we know our nation can never repay to you.” Supporting MOAA’s goals is simple, he said, because “it is the right thing to do and the smart Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) Award: Marix Award Recognized for: Championing legislation to protect military families from DoD’s health care fee increases. Jones is a former North Carolina National Guard member whose father served 26 years in the House of Representatives and whose grandfather fought and was gassed in the Battle of the Argonne Forest in World War I. He said he saw the cost of war through his grandfather’s postwar suffering and mental health issues. He said the men and women in the military are special, and that’s why he, Edwards, and many others stand up and “take on those in Congress and the adJ U LY 2 0 0 7 MILITARY OFFICER 69

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - July 2007

Military Officer - July 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: In Focus After the Kim Dynasty Animal House Paying Tribute MOAA Member Services Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Scholarship Donors MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - July 2007

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